Goalpost with integrated content delivery system

ABSTRACT

A goalpost content delivery system includes a main body that is in the form of a football goalpost. The main body includes a plurality of content banners that are disposed along the front and rear facing sides of the base member, the horizontal crossbar and the vertical uprights. The content banners include digital display screens and green-screen members. A control unit communicates with an external device and controls an operation of the content banners.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to content distribution at live sporting events, and more particularly to a goalpost with an integrated content delivery system.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

American football is the most popular sport in the United States, with college and professional teams routinely drawing millions of television viewers each week. As a result, companies pay hundreds of millions of dollars each year to advertise their products and services at the games. Originally, such advertisements consisted of billboards and/or electronic displays that were located in the seating area of the stadium for viewing by those spectators at the game.

More recently, efforts have been made to provide billboards at locations closer to the field, in order to allow the advertisements to be seen by the television audience. As such, many stadiums now utilize billboards along the front wall of the stadium seating area that are at field level adjacent to the players. Although these billboards make it possible for the television audience to see their content, it is usually simply as a background effect, or for a short period of time when the television camera pans across the stadium.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a new type of content delivery system that can be seamlessly integrated into the game itself, so as to be visible to both the in-person spectators and the television viewing audience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a goalpost content delivery system. One embodiment of the present invention can include a main body that is in the form of an American football goalpost. The main body can include any number of content banners that can be disposed along one or more of the base member, the horizontal crossbar and the vertical uprights. The content banners can be disposed along the front facing sides of the goalpost and/or the rear facing sides of the goalpost so as to be visible to viewers anywhere in the stadium and those watching on television.

The content banners can include digital display screens which can be positioned within the main body itself and can include protective shields to prevent damage to the same, and/or can include green-screen members which can be superimposed with content.

Another embodiment of the present invention can include a control unit which can function to communicate with an external device and to operate the system components.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention can include one or more sensors which can detect an object, such as a ball passing through a scoring area of the goalpost.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is an exploded parts view of the goalpost content delivery system that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2A is a front side view of the main body of the goalpost content delivery system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a back side view of the main body of the goalpost content delivery system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a back side view of the goalpost content delivery system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a back side view of the goalpost content delivery system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of the control unit of the goalpost content delivery system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front side view of the goalpost content delivery system, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is another front side view of the goalpost content delivery system, in accordance with the another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

As described throughout this document, the term “content,” and derivatives thereof shall include any type of images (e.g., still, motion, live, generated), which can be presented to anyone utilizing the below described content banners. As such, “content” can include, but is not limited to: video and/or static advertisements for products and services, commercials, game and/or player information, and scoring indications, for example.

As described throughout this document, the term “complementary shape,” and “complementary dimension,” shall be used to describe a shape and size of a component that is identical to, or substantially identical to the shape and size of another identified component and/or a portion thereof.

Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate various embodiments of a goalpost with integrated content delivery system 10 that are useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Although the illustrations presented throughout this document show the main body in the form of an American football goalpost, this is for illustrative purposes only, as those of skill in the art will recognize that the inventive concepts disclosed herein can be applied to any type of scoring structure for any type of sport without undue experimentation. Several nonlimiting examples include a basketball backboard, hockey goal and/or soccer goal, for example.

FIG. 1 is an exploded parts view of the system components. As shown, the system 10 can include, essentially, a main body 20, a plurality of content banners 31, 32 and 33, and a control unit 40.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the main body 20 can take the form of an American football goalpost having a base member 21, a curved connector 22, a horizontal crossbar 23 and a pair of vertical uprights 24 and 25. Additionally, the main body can include a plurality of apertures 21 a, 23 a, 24 a and/or 25 a disposed along the front sides of the major axes of each of the base member 21, the horizontal crossbar 23 and the vertical uprights 24 and 25, respectively. The main body can also include a plurality of apertures 21 a′, 23 a′, 24 a′ and/or 25 a′ disposed along the back facing sides of the major axes of each of the base member 21, the horizontal crossbar 23 and the vertical uprights 24 and 25, respectively (See FIG. 2B).

As will be described below, the apertures can extend within the hollow interior portions of the main body so as to allow the same to securely receive and position any number of content delivery units 30. Although described as including the curved connector, those of skill in the art will recognize that this component may be eliminated so as to position the upper end of the base member directly against the horizontal crossbar (see FIG. 6).

In the preferred embodiment, the main body 20 can be constructed from a sturdy weather resistant material such as elongated tubes of steel or aluminum, for example. The main body can be constructed so as to include a scoring area A that is in conformity with the league or other organization under which the game is to be played. As such, the scoring area A of the goalpost is defined as the height of the crossbar and the dimensions of the area above the horizontal crossbar and between the vertical uprights. Depending on the level of play, these regulations may be defined by the NFL, the NCAA or various high school entities.

For example, when the system is to be used at the NFL level, the upper portion of the horizontal crossbar 23 b is located a distance of 10 feet from the ground, and the distance between the inside surfaces of the vertical uprights 24 b and 25 b is 18.5 feet, so as to conform to standardized football regulations. Of course, other embodiments are contemplated wherein different dimensions are used.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a plurality of content banners 31, 32, and 33 can be disposed along the apertures 23 a, 24 a and 25 a of the horizontal crossbar 23 and the vertical uprights 24 and 25, respectively, so as to be visible to viewers in front of the goalpost. Although not illustrated, another content banner can be disposed within aperture 21 a, if desired.

Likewise, as shown in FIG. 3B, another plurality of content banners 31′, 32′, 33′ and 34′ can be disposed along the apertures 21 a′, 23 a′, 24 a′ and 25 a′ of the horizontal crossbar 23, the vertical uprights 24 and 25, and the base member 21, respectively, so as to be visible to viewers located behind the goalpost.

In the preferred embodiment, each of the content banners can include or comprise a digital display screen such as an LCD display, a plasma display, an LED display, an electro-luminescent display, and/or any other type of device that is capable of presenting content. Each of the content banners can be communicatively linked to the below described control unit 40 and can display any type of content.

In various embodiments, the content banners can also include a protective shield 31 a, 31 b and 31 c, that can be positioned along the outside facing surface of the banner to which it is attached. The shields can be constructed from a clear, impact resistant material such as plastic, for example, and can function to prevent damage to the content banners if/when they are struck by a ball during game play. Although described as a separate component, other embodiments are contemplated wherein the shield is formed as an integral component of the content banner.

In one embodiment, any number of sensors 35 can be disposed along the main body, and can function to determine the presence of a ball passing through the scoring area A. As such, each of the sensors can include or comprise any type of motion sensing equipment such as a photoelectric motion sensor, for example.

The control unit 40 can function to communicate with a system user and can control the operation of the system 10. In one embodiment, the control unit 40 can include an outer shell/body 40 a, for housing a processor 41 that is conventionally connected to a memory 42, a communication unit 43, an internal component interface unit 44, and/or a power unit 45.

Although illustrated as separate elements, those of skill in the art will recognize that one or more system components may comprise, or include one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) containing any number of integrated circuit or circuits for completing the activities described herein. The CPU may be one or more integrated circuits having firmware for causing the circuitry to complete the activities described herein. Of course, any number of other analog and/or digital components capable of performing the below described functionality can be provided in place of, or in conjunction with the below described controller elements.

The controller body can include any number of different shapes and sizes, and can be constructed from any number of different materials suitable for encompassing each of the controller elements. In one preferred embodiment, the controller body can be constructed from lightweight rugged plastic, which can protect the controller elements from impacts with foreign objects and adverse weather conditions. The controller body can also include a plurality of internal connectors (not shown) for securely housing each of the device elements. Of course, any number of other known construction materials such as PVC and composites, for example, are also contemplated. Although illustrated as being positioned along the exterior of the main body, this is for illustrative purposes only, as the control unit 40 can also be constructed so as to be positioned within the hollow interior portions of the main body (See FIG. 5).

The processor/CPU 41 of the control unit 40 can act to execute program code that can be stored in the memory 42 in order to allow the device to perform the functionality described herein. As processors are extremely well known in the art, no further description will be provided.

Memory 42 can act to store operating instructions in the form of program code for the processor 41 to execute. Although illustrated in FIG. 4 as a single component, memory 42 can include one or more physical memory devices such as, for example, local memory and/or one or more bulk storage devices. As used herein, local memory can refer to random access memory or other non-persistent memory device(s) generally used during actual execution of program code, whereas a bulk storage device can be implemented as a persistent data storage device such as a hard drive, for example. Additionally, memory 42 can also include one or more cache memories that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times program code must be retrieved from the bulk storage device during execution. Each of these devices are well known in the art. As will be described below, the memory 42 can also function to receive and/or store content for display by the content banners.

The communication unit 43 can include any number of components capable of sending and/or receiving electronic signals with an externally located device, either directly or over a network. In one preferred embodiment, the communication unit 43 can include a wired or wireless network adapter capable of communicating with an externally located computer over a network such as a WAN, LAN and/or the Internet, for example. Of course, any number of other known transmission and reception mechanisms/protocols can also be utilized herein, several nonlimiting examples including transmitters and receivers for communicating via radio frequencies, and/or a Bluetooth transceiver for communicating wirelessly with an external device such as a smartphone, computer and/or tablet device running an App, for example.

The internal component interface unit 44 can function to provide a communicative link between the processor 41 and various other device components such as the communication unit 43, the content banners 31-33, and/or the sensor(s) 35, for example. In this regard, the component interface unit can include any number of different components such as one or more PIC microcontrollers, internal bus, USB connections and other such hardware capable of providing a direct link between the various components. Of course any other means for providing the two way communication between the identified components can also be utilized herein.

In one embodiment, the power unit 45 can include an A/C electrical power transformer and cord capable of allowing the device to be powered from a commercial electric grid. Of course, other embodiments are also contemplated wherein the power source can include a plurality of batteries, so as to allow the system to function if the commercial power supplied to the system is temporarily disrupted.

In operation, the goalpost with integrated content delivery system 10 can function to replace existing stadium goalposts by providing a regulation shaped and sized scoring area A. Additionally, by integrating content banners within the body of the goalposts, the system advantageously allows advertisers to provide content to viewers in a manner that is seamlessly blended into the game. As such, the control unit 40 of each system 10 can be communicatively linked to an external computer that can provide content for display by each of the content banners at any given time. Moreover, the integrated sensors 35 can function to aid game officials by determining when a ball passes through the scoring area A. At such a time, the system can be configured to automatically illuminate the content displays with a particular color or flash a message such as “SCORE”, for example.

Although described above as including digital content banners embedded within the goalpost for displaying digital content, many other embodiments are also contemplated. For Example, FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the system 10 that includes at least one non-electrical “green-screen” content banner 50 that is disposed along the main body. The banner 50 can include a solid color, such as green, for example which can be digitally superimposed with any type of content by the television broadcast company working the game.

Such a feature can allow broadcasters to have control over the content displayed to their viewers. Such a feature is particularly advantageous, in that different content can be presented to different viewers based on factors such as the language and/or area where the viewer is located. The technology for identifying and overlaying green screens, as they are typically called is well known in the art.

FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of the system 10 wherein the above described banners 31, 32, 33 and/or 51 can be secured to the outside of the main body 20 so as to not interfere with the scoring area A. Each of the banners can be connected to the main body utilizing any type of connection hardware 5 such as welds, mounting brackets and the like. Such a feature can allow the visible area of the banners to be larger than what would be possible if the components were integrated within the main body as described above.

Accordingly, the above described goalpost system provides an innovative solution for presenting content at sporting events.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the terms “consisting” shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A goalpost content delivery system, said system comprising: a main body in the form of a football goalpost, said main body including a horizontal crossbar having a first end, a second end, a lower surface and an upper surface, a base member having a first end that is in communication with the lower surface of the horizontal crossbar, and a pair of generally parallel vertical uprights that extend upward from the first and second ends of the horizontal crossbar; a plurality of content banners that are disposed along a front facing surface of each of the horizontal crossbar and the vertical uprights; and a plurality of transparent shields that are disposed along each of the horizontal crossbar and the pair of parallel vertical uprights at locations that correspond only to the plurality of content banners, wherein the plurality of content banners comprise at least one electrical display screen that is configured to display dynamic content, and at least one non-electrical solid-color banner that is configured to be overlaid with content.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a control unit that includes: a communication unit that is configured to receive the content from an external device; a memory that is configured to store the content; and a processor that is in communication with each of the plurality of content banners, the communication unit, and the memory.
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a crossbar banner that is disposed along a rear facing surface of the horizontal crossbar.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the crossbar banner is disposed within an aperture positioned within the horizontal crossbar.
 6. The system of claim 5, further comprising: a pair of vertical banners that are disposed along a rear facing surface of the pair of vertical uprights.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the pair of vertical banners are each disposed within an aperture that is positioned within the pair of vertical uprights.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The system of claim 9, wherein each of the at least one non-electrical solid-color banners are disposed within an aperture along one of the horizontal crossbar, and the vertical uprights. 10-11. (canceled)
 13. A goalpost content delivery system, said system comprising: a main body in the form of a football goalpost, said main body including a horizontal crossbar having a first end, a second end, a lower surface and an upper surface, a base member having a first end that is in communication with the lower surface of the horizontal crossbar, and a pair of generally parallel vertical uprights that extend upward from the first and second ends of the horizontal crossbar, each of the pair of vertical uprights including an inside facing surface and an outside facing surface, wherein the upper surface of the horizontal crossbar and the inside facing surfaces of each of the pair of vertical uprights form a scoring area; at least one horizontal content banner that is suspended from the lower surface of the horizontal crossbar and positioned beneath the horizontal crossbar; and at least one vertical content banner that is suspended from the outside facing surface of each of the pair of generally parallel vertical uprights.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the at least one horizontal content banner and the at least one vertical content banners comprise an electrical display screen that is configured to display dynamic content.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the at least one horizontal content banner and the at least one vertical content banners comprise a non-electrical solid-color banner that is configured to be overlaid with content. 